The Ford Foundation on Friday celebrated its 65th anniversary in West Africa in Lagos.
The organisation, which has impacted communities across the sub-region, welcomed many civil society actors in Nigeria, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the wife of former Ekiti State Governor Bisi Fayemi, and other dignitaries in attendance.
Mrs. Fayemi wrote about the celebration:
“For 65 years, the Ford Foundation in West Africa has advanced education, promoted democracy, good governance, and transparency.
“Ford Foundation West Africa recently marked its 65th anniversary in Abuja. As part of the celebration, there was a two-day meeting with partners of the Ford Foundation. I attended both the meeting and the anniversary dinner, where I was asked to propose a toast.
“As someone who has worked with the Ford Foundation on various programmes over the past thirty years, I know they are the gold standard when it comes to alignment of vision, values, and practice. They believe in genuine partnerships, shared learning, and mutual respect. They have quietly provided much-needed space for civil society organisations and movements to thrive.
“They have also encouraged the strengthening of public institutions and created opportunities for dialogue and collaboration across different sectors. They have invested in leadership across generations, local philanthropy, knowledge building, and creative expression. They believe in the capacity of local leaders to understand their context and craft their own solutions.”
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